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Webster Groves student loses finger after falling at school

"I've seen the pictures, the pictures literally show a finger hanging on a file cabinet," the family's attorney said.

WEBSTER GROVES, Mo. — Attorney Tim Engelmeyer swiped through graphic photos of the pain 9-year-old DJ Williams had to face.

"I've seen the pictures, the pictures literally show a finger hanging on a file cabinet," Engelmeyer said Wednesday.

Monday afternoon, the Bristol Elementary student fell. His finger was taken off in the process.

"He got his finger removed from his hand, on a very sharp edge of a computer filing cabinet," Engelmeyer said.

Engelmeyer said school leaders called DJ's grandpa and said, "DJ had suffered a gash."

When he picked DJ up from school, DJ's hand was wrapped up.

"I believe it was described to me to be in a paper towel and was advised to get medical attention at that point," Engelmeyer said. 

But when it was unwrapped, it was more than just a gash.

DJ was then rushed to several doctors before ultimately heading to Children's Hospital. His middle finger on his right, dominant hand was amputated.

"There was some concern initially that he may lose the whole hand," Engelmeyer said. 

Credit: Tim Engelmeyer

Engelmeyer said the family believes more could have been done to help DJ.

"They didn't have the rest of the finger, which is one of the questions, issues that the family has, why is the finger still attached to the file cabinet? The biggest red flag to me, why wasn't 911 called immediately? Second question, why is anything this sharp even available for a 9-year-old to hurt himself on," Engelmeyer said. 

There are many questions still left and as the family waits for answers, they are doing everything they can in the process to be there for DJ.

Credit: Tim Engelmeyer

"They are trying to keep spirits upbeat for their son for an injury that's going to affect him for a very long time," Engelmeyer says.

Webster Groves School District responded with this statement:

Webster Groves School District is aware of reports of an accident, a fall, that occurred at Bristol Elementary School on Monday, April 18, 2022 that may have resulted in injury to a student requiring medical attention. The District is always concerned for and committed to the health and safety of its students and is currently investigating the accident in question. However, due to confidentiality obligations imposed by federal law (FERPA), Webster Groves School District is unable to disclose any information regarding the accident or the condition of the student and is, thus, unable to comment further on the matter at this time.

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